Stealth is about **not being noticed**. Hiding is something you **do** to become unseen or unheard. They are related, but not the same thing. #### The Core Rule (Read This First) > **You can’t hide from someone who can clearly see you.** If an enemy has a clear view of you, hiding automatically fails. #### What Is Stealth? **Stealth** represents how quietly and carefully you move. You use it to: - Sneak past enemies - Avoid being heard - Stay hidden once you’ve hidden Stealth is a **Dexterity (Stealth)** check. #### What Is Hiding? **Hiding** is an action you take to try and become unseen. To hide, you must: - Be out of sight, **or** - Have something that blocks vision (darkness, cover, fog, distractions) If you meet the conditions, you roll **Dexterity (Stealth)**. #### How Hiding Works (Step by Step) 1. You move to a place where you **can’t be clearly seen** 2. You take the **Hide action** 3. You roll **Stealth** 4. That roll becomes the DC for enemies to notice you If someone beats your roll with Perception → they spot you. #### Spotting a Hidden Creature A creature can try to find you by: - Making an **active Perception check**, or - Comparing their **Passive Perception** to your Stealth roll If their number equals or beats your Stealth → you’re seen. #### Passive Perception & Stealth If you hide and don’t move: - Enemies usually use **Passive Perception** If you move, make noise, or do something risky: - The DM may call for a **new Stealth roll** #### Things That Help You Hide You can usually hide if: - You are in **darkness or heavy shadow** - You have **total cover** - There is **thick fog, smoke, or foliage** - The enemy is distracted or blinded Note: Light obscurement helps with sneaking, but may not fully hide you. #### Things That Break Hiding You are no longer hidden if you: - Step into clear view - Make loud noise - Attack - Cast an obvious spell - Are illuminated by bright light #### Attacking While Hidden If you attack while hidden: - You have **Advantage** on the attack - Whether you hit or miss, your position is usually revealed (Some abilities let you stay hidden — those say so explicitly.) --- #### Special Notes for New Players - Stealth is **not invisibility** - Invisibility does **not automatically mean hidden** - Darkvision does **not cancel darkness** - You can’t hide behind nothing #### DM Rule of Thumb > **If a player explains how they break line of sight, let them try to hide.** --- #### Summary > **Hiding means breaking sight first, then rolling Stealth to stay unnoticed.**